GAINESVILLE, GA – March 22, 2013 – Livingston+McKay’s latest documentary Primary
Concern is a film that provides a deeper understanding of the challenges impacting our nation’s
healthcare system due to the looming shortage of primary care physicians in the United States.
Through an intimate look into the lives of physicians and their communities in rural Georgia, the
issues surrounding this dire situation become personal, sparking concern and action to address
this major national problem. As the film details the precarious health care precipice in America in
all its complexities, it also shares the profound stories of doctors who are on the front lines
serving their communities with compassion and perseverance against enormous odds.
As the film chronicles the lives of these incredible physicians, viewers also receive a rare glimpse
into the distinct culture and values of these small rural communities located throughout Georgia.
Dr. Jean Sumner resides in Sandersville and has a practice in her hometown as well as in
Wrightsville. Dr. Jim Hotz is from Albany and practices in Newton in addition to leading a clinic in
Baker County. Dr. Katy Naymick is from Calhoun and Dr. Fred Gaton has a practice in Roberta
but resides in Macon. Dr. Ashley Mooney, who was a third year medical student at Mercer
University Medical School during filming, is from Fitzgerald Georgia. Dr. Jean Sumner was also a
member of Mercer University’s inaugural graduating class.
Why focus on Georgia? A microcosm of what's happening all across America, Georgia has a
critical physician shortage. It is the 9th most populous state and the 5th fastest growing state in
the nation. Yet, without changes in the state's medical education system, Georgia will rank last in
the United States in physicians per capita by 2020. Without immediate statewide cooperation in
expanding medical education and residency programs, the state may never again have an
adequate supply of physicians.
The prognosis worsens for shortages in primary care for Georgia and throughout the U.S. There
are more patients waiting to see fewer and fewer doctors. The Association of American Medical
Colleges projects that by 2015, in just two years, the U.S. will be 63,000 doctors short of the
number we need. And that number could double by 2025.
Adding more concern to the issue, a dangerous demographic shift is occurring where baby
boomers and the health care workforce are aging simultaneously. This influx of an additional 30
million people seeking access to care who will be covered by the Affordable Care Act, and very
few medical students going into primary care and not enough residencies for those who actually
do will cause an enormous strain on the overall healthcare system. Primary care doctors in rural
and underserved areas in Georgia are already stretched thin as the first responders. How much
longer can they hold back the impending storm?
Broadcast dates and times for Primary Concern are set in April on Georgia Public Broadcasting:
- Wednesday, April 3rd at 7:00 PM
- Thursday, April 4th at Midnight
- Saturday, April 6th at 3:00 AM
- Sunday, April 21st at 3:00 PM
- Wednesday, April 24th at 10:00 PM
The trailer can also be viewed with this link http://www.livingstonmckay.com/primary-concern
For more information on the individuals featured in the film and press requests, please contact
Sonny Han
ABOUT LIVINGSTON+MCKAY
Renée McKay and Joani Livingston of Livingston+McKay are EMMY® award-winning producers
and directors with over 36 years combined experience in the broadcasting industry, their credit list
is long and varied – from commercials to corporate videos to music videos; documentaries to
entertainment programs to national live events. They are known for creative excellence in
storytelling, winning numerous awards and recognition for production and content creation.
Both Livingston and McKay are driven by a passion to communicate well-crafted stories, which
inspire and connect with a broad worldwide audience. They have an unshakeable belief in the
power that great stories wield to shine a light on tough subjects, to raise awareness about the
world and human condition, and to promote changes for the better. In addition to being active
members in their regional chapters (Southeast and Lone Star, respectively) of the National
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), they are also frequent speakers at national
conferences and university campuses on the power of great stories to effect change.
Livingston+McKay also represent Sarah Jane Murray, a story expert who consults with major
Hollywood studios on screenplays, story research, script analysis, and screen writing. Sarah
Jane attended Georgia Tech University and received a B.A. in French and Philosophy from
Auburn University. After earning the Ecole Normale Supérieure-Lettres et Sciences Humaines
diploma in French and Linguistics, she completed her PhD at Princeton University in the
Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. She received associate producer and writer
credits on Primary Concern.
For more information on Livingston+McKay, please visit us at http://www.livingstonmckay.com